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Folsom, CA Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Leash/tether max
8 feet
Exception
Designated dog parks
Minimum hold if impounded
7 days
Charge level
Infraction
Unaltered-dog impound fine
$35 / $50 / $100

Summary

A Folsom dog must stay on its owner's property or under leash control everywhere else in the city under Municipal Code Section 7.04.040, and "at large" specifically means off a leash, lead, or tether longer than eight feet under Section 7.02.020; violating the leash law is a straight infraction and lets animal services impound the dog on sight.

Except in a designated dog park, no person shall allow or permit his or her dog to be or remain at large on any public street, road, alley, park, square, school, or other public place or upon any private property other than the property of the owner or custodian of such dog without the consent of the owner of such property, within the corporate limits of the city. An animal services officer may seize and impound any dog found running at large, and, except as otherwise set forth herein, such animals will be impounded at the city's animal shelter. Violation of this section shall constitute an infraction.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1369, passed April 28, 2026).

Full Breakdown

040 bars a dog from being "at large" on any public street, road, alley, park, square, school, or other public place, and from being on private property other than its owner's without that property owner's consent, anywhere within Folsom's city limits. The one exception is a designated dog park. 020 defines "at large" precisely: an animal off its owner's premises and not restrained by a leash, lead, or tether no longer than eight feet, with narrow carve-outs for a police or search-and-rescue dog on duty, a dog in an authorized training or obedience course or competition, a dog helping herd livestock, or any dog inside a public or private dog park. 040, and the dog goes to the city's animal shelter unless a specific exception applies. 020. 7.

Violations & Fines

Letting a dog run at large is a straight infraction under Section 7.04.040. An impounded dog cannot be redeemed until it is licensed and all fees are paid (Section 7.10.020), and an unaltered dog's owner owes an additional $35 fine for a first impoundment, $50 for a second, and $100 for a third or later impoundment under Section 7.10.030.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Folsom require dogs to be on a leash?
Yes. Section 7.04.040 bans a dog from being "at large" anywhere in the city outside a designated dog park, and Section 7.02.020 defines at large as off a leash, lead, or tether longer than eight feet, so a longer tether or no restraint at all is a violation.
Can animal services take my dog if it gets loose?
Yes. An animal services officer may seize and impound any dog found running at large under Section 7.04.040, and the dog is held at the city shelter for at least seven days under Section 7.10.040 before it can be adopted out or euthanized.
What does it cost to get my dog back if it's impounded and unaltered?
Beyond redemption, boarding, and licensing fees, Section 7.10.030 adds a fine of $35 for a first impoundment of an unspayed or unneutered dog, $50 for a second, and $100 for a third or later impoundment within the same period.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Folsom

All Folsom rules

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